Review: DC SNEAK PEEK: BLACK CANARY #1

DC SNEAK PEEK: BLACK CANARY #1
Written by, Brenden Fletcher
Art by Annie Wu
Published by DC Comics
Release date: May 27, 2015

Black Canary is in a band named Black Canary. She and her band-mates have hit the road and they’re about to hit the stage when they find themselves confronted by an angry mob. What’s a girl with superpowers to do?

In this 8 page story we get a taste of the style that Annie Wu will bring to the Black Canary series. The wobbly rectangular panel layouts interspersed with big splash pages create a dynamic pacing for an issue that is actually more about the humor than about the action.

Wu uses a palette of pinks, purples and blacks to highlight the dimly-lit alley where the whole story takes place, just before the band takes the stage. This mix of muted and bright is rocked out when Black Canary decides to use her canary cry to subdue some unhappy rival band members who’ve decided to take their grievances out in person.

When the action starts, Annie Wu sells the Saturday-morning style cartoon like violence that has been missing from comics in some time. It provides a whole new level of fun without sacrificing the rock and roll edge the story brings.

Brenden Fletcher’s story is a tongue-in cheek touch on the several facets. One is the fact that superheroes can never seem to live a normal live when they try. This is hinted at when Black Canary tries to explain all the actions that are making these rival bands mad at her.

The whole piece in injected with lots of humor, rock-infused art and a taste of potential bigger problems for the band once the full series starts.

The Verdict: PULL LIST